AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports on The Chilean Air Force Third And Final Boeing KC-135E Delivered

Chilean Air Force (FACH) Tanker serial number 981, C/n 17572, former USAF 57-1501 flying with an F-16C from the "Peace Puma" Program in which the U.S. provided the 1st six F-16C Block 50 aircraft. Shown with 981 is F-16C 853 from the "Peace Puma" Program from 2006

The (FACH) last and final KC-135E tanker to have be delivered is aircraft serial number 983, C/n 17759, which was formerly USAF 58-0014

U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons, Chilean Minister of National Defesne, Francisco Vidal and Commander in Chief of the Chilean Air Force, General Ricardo Ortega, cutting the ribbon commissioning the first KC-135E, serial # 981 into the Chilean Air Force

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: The Chilean Airforce (FACH) commissioned February 18 the first three Boeing KC-135E tanker aircraft purchased from the United States, with an official ceremony held at the Grupo 10 Air Base located in Santiago. Chile's National Defense Minister, Francisco Vidal, and the Commander in Chief of  the Air Force, General Ricardo Ortega presided over the event. Representing the United States was Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs, Mr. Bruce Lemkin and U.S. Ambassador to Chile Paul Simons. 

Chilean authorities explained to AIRFORCES, Inc (AFI). that the purchase of the three plane is part of the process to renew Chilean Air Force equipment to enhance airlift capability for peacekeeping operations as well as for humanitarian assistance or medical evacuations and for aerial refueling of the (FACH') F-16 and F-5 aircraft. In learning that the 151st Air Refueling Wing (ARW) of the Utah Air National Guard provided support in ferrying the planes to Santiago, Chile. 

AIRFORCES, Inc.placed a call to the 151st and contacted the office of Command Chief, CMSgt Kyle A. Dillingham, who was kind enough to have directed (AFI) to base public affairs office who advised (AFI) that aside of ferrying the aircraft to Chile, the 151th ARW also played a key and supportive role in providing initial KC-135E aircraft maintenance and ground operational training to the (FACH). 

To date, Chile now becomes the latest Latin American Country to employ and operate the Boeing KC-135 in joining Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela. Currently, AIRFORCES, Inc. is liaising with the Chilean Consulate in Miami, Florida so as to arrange a visitation to Grupo 10 for an formal interview so as to present further informative articles on this matter.

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports on Colombian National Police ATR 42-320 at Opa Locka Airport in Miami, Florida

PNC-2041 as seen at Opa Locka (KOPF) on 24th March 2012

Aircraft 0241 seen on the ramp in Bogota (BOG)

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: With their known and established abilities to have both, actively paid informants and aviation / aircraft spotters eyes able to report from the three major airports within Miami-Dade, hence Miami International Airport (KMIA), Opa Locka (KOPF) and Tamiami Airport (KTMB), AIRFORCES, Inc. monitors most and random activities of odd and often not seen aircraft within this region, as the case with the Colombian National Police ATR-42-320, with manufactures serial number (s/n 11) which was observed and recorded at Opa Locka Airport on 24th March 2012.

A review of ATR production and deliveries of the type aircraft based on its production serial number as well as a check of the aircraft Hull Insurance Policy via Lloyd's of London, as the Colombian National Police maintains its fleet operational risk insured via AON Insurance as placed within the London Insurance Market, has clearly indicated to AIRFORCES, Inc. that aircraft PNC-0241 is a one of kind within the Colombian National Police fleet of operational aircraft's according to their policy or as they say in London according to their "Slip".

Further analysis of the aircraft and its operational history research has indicated that the subject aircraft was acquired by the Colombian National Police as a second-hand, previously operated aircraft. Early and primary intelligence indicates that the aircraft was delivered to the Colombian National Police sometime in the early to middle part of 2009.

Further information on this particular aircraft will follow in time to come, as we here at AIRFORCES, Inc. have designated PNC-0241 as an aircraft of interest.

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports On The Delivery of Two Ulan-Ude Manufactured Mi-171E's For The Argentine Air Force

The first of two new Fuerza Aerea Argentina (FAA-Argentine Air Force) Ulan-Ude built Mi-171E's similar to the example shown above have been delivered to Argentina 

The two new Mi-171E's delivered to the Argentine Air Force have side identification hull numbers of H-94 and H-95 for operation in Antarctica 

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: Two MIL, Mi-171E's that had been ordered by the Argentine Air Forces thus being known as H-94 and H-95 for Antarctica service have arrived into Buenos Aires International Airport inside an An-124 transport aircraft operated by Volga Dnepr.

Speaking to our contact within the Argentine Permanent Mission based in New York City, Military Attache, Mr. Julio Brandan-Araoz, AIRFORCES, Inc. has been advised that the two Mi-171E's will be painted in high-visibility "international orange" paint scheme for Antarctica operation similar to the paint scheme which their Chinooks that were previously used for the mission wore.

The unit that will receive the new Mi-171E's will be the VII Brigada Aerea, based at Jose C. Paz Air Base near Buenos Aires, but will most likely be temporally deployed to operate out of a base in Marambio.

We have leaned that options are being held on a further three Mi-171E's as the Argentine Air Force hopes to purchase a total of seven Mi-171E's.

AIRFORCES, Inc. hopes to meet with members of the Argentine Air Force who shall visit Miami, Florida during the summer to see about requesting an official visitation to observe the operation of the Mi-171E's.

AIRFORCES Inc. Reports On The Bolivian Army Purchase of Six Chinese Made Harbin H425 Helicopters

The Harbin H425 Helicopter in a steady hover 

Representative from the Chinese manufacture Harbin Aircraft and members of the Bolivian Government at the official signing and purchase of the six H425 helicopters

An official Harbin marketing rendering showing the various views of the H425 

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: As China creates and establishes bilateral co-operation with various Nations in Latin America, the Nation of Bolivia becomes the latest Latin American Nation to obtain and commence to utilize Chinese made military hardware.

The Government of Bolivia and China have engaged in signing a contract for Bolivia to purchase six Harbin H425  helicopters for the Bolivian Army. Bolivian Foreign Minister, Mr. Carlos Romero and Planning Minister, Mr. Viviana Caro signed the accord with China diplomatic representative, Mr. Shen Zhiliang at a ceremony held in La Paz, Bolivia in the presence of the Bolivian Army Chiefs.

Our sources in Santa Cruz and La Paz have informed us that the new helicopters will be flown and operated by the Bolivian Army newly created air cavalry units.

Sources within the Bolivian Army have also indicated to us that the H425 will also be utilized for emergency response roles to include search and rescue (SAR) as well as medical emergency services. The H425 is a newly developed version of the Harbin Z-9 which itself is the Chinese version of the EADS / Eurocopter SA365 Dauphin / Panther helicopter, which in the United States is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard as the HH-65. The delivery of the H425 would be the first rotary wing assets to the Bolivian Army, as at the time the Army only operates two fixed wing aircraft's, as Beech C90 King Air and a CASA 212-100 Aviocar.

AIRFORCES Inc. Reports On The Ecuadorian Army Receiving Their First Two New AS350B2s Helicopters

Shown above is an AS350B2's Ecureuils helicopter obtained by the Ecuadorian Army 

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: It has been learned that Eurocopter has delivered the first of two new of a batch of nine AS350B2s helicopters to the Ecuadorian Army. The arrival of these new air assets come as an extensive modernization program within the Ecuadorian Armed Forces.

Delivery of the new helicopter was received by the Ecuadorian Army "Brigada de Aviacion" Army Aviation Brigade 15 which are station at the La Balvina Sangolqui base.

Present to receive the helicopter at the base in early January 2012 was Ecuadorian Defense Minister Mr. Javier Ponce and the head of Armed Forces Joint Command Army Commander Ernesto Gonzalez and Army Commander Patricio Cardenas, as well as other Ecuadorian military leaders.
Ecuador is one the first Nations in Latin America to have their military to "integrate" Eurocopter aircraft into their fleet of which the Ecuadorian Army now have nearly 30 Eurocopter helicopters in service. These include a sampling of 2ea. AS350B2's, 2ea. SA315B's 'Lamas", 2ea SA316 "Alouettes" and 19ea. SA342 "Gazalles", as well as 4ea. AS332 "Super Pumas".
The arrival of the new AS350B2's will be utilized to replace the much older SA315B's "Lamas" which according to our sources in Ecuador it appears that these new helicopter will be based in Guayaquil for army pilot training, reconnaissance and search and rescue (SAR).

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports On The Honduran Air Force Piper Cheyenne Aircraft Once Again Operational Service

Shown above is a Piper Cheyenne similar to the one that the Honduran Air Force has recently return back to operational service

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: After a period in storage at a Honduran Air Base known as Teniente Coronel Hernan Acosta Mejia, Toncontin, Tegucigalpa, Honduran Air Force Piper Cheyenne III 016 with manufacture serial number PA-42-720 and Honduran Air Force serial number 42-8001056, ex HR-JFA is now back in operational service.

When reported and spotted by associates in Honduras back in mid April 2012, it was noted that the aircraft was operating completely unmarked and appeared not to carry any sort of registration markings.

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports On The New Bell 412EP For Panama "Servicio Nacional Aeronaval" National Naval Air Service

Similar to the Bell 412 shown above in Pakistani Air Force colors, the National Naval Air Services of Panama are now in receipt of a new Bell 412 with manufacture serial number s/n 36569

The typical cockpit layout within a Bell 412. Note the presence of the large CRT screen which manages and displays the multi-function display information screens

Shown from port side view is the large and spacious passenger / cargo interior that is found within the Bell 412 of which it is a valued asset to many world operators

AIRFORCES, Inc. Reports: Our ability to monitor the movement of air assets to the region of Latin America, we have recently learned that a new, factory fresh production Bell 412EP with manufacture serial number s/n 36596 and currently holding a U.S. Registration of N4360H is scheduled for delivery to Panama's "Servicio Nacional Aeronaval- SEMAN" which translates to the National Naval Air Service of Panama.

The new aircraft underwent pre-delivery test flights at Bells facility located at Forth-Worth Alliance Airport in Fort Worth Texas back in late February.

S/n 36569 is equipped and configured for over water search and rescue (SAR) operation, as the aircraft is equipped with pop-out float units attached to the skids. Another feature of the (SAR) capability is a rescue hoist over the cabin door fitted on the starboard side of the aircraft. 

It should be noted that with the delivery of s/n 36569 it marks the second Bell 412EP to be accepted for operational use by "SEMAN". The first unit was delivered back in 2009 and accepted of operational use by the 2nd Air Squadron based at Tocumen near to Panama City.